Pencil



Bnc. BECKER I I 1,803,586

"May15, Ivo;

PENCIL 2 sheds-sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5,' 1922 :liniaal/f Il; $452111, 545:55; 11111155 asfirlrlraffvnf `mvEN'roR ,sse

s. c. BECKER 1,803

PENCIL Filed Feb. 3, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 5, 1931.

INVENTOH 2o in achamber formed by the handle of the the pencil,

Patented Mayv 5, 1931 UNITED STATESA PATENT OFFICE :stimmen c.

BECKER, 0F YORK, PENNSYLVANIA., ASSIGNOR TO TEE YODER PENCIL COMPANY, 0F `CLEVELAND, OHIO, .A CORPORATION' OHIO PENCIL -Application led February 3, 1922.` Serial N'o. `533,844.

This invention relates to instruments for writingor more .particularly to a writing device which might properly be placed in a class between lead The objectof thls invention is to rovide .in writing. Y

The necessary characteristicsof this substance is that it will not run too freely and spread like a liquid, but should be soft so.

that it 'can be readily pressed through the hole of a small tube. Graphite or lampblack ground in linseed oil makes a suitable preparation for this purpose, and many ofthe coloring pigments may be similarly prepared for this purpose.

As a preferred embodiment of this invenpencil, and means are provided for automatically feedinof-the substance to the point of Ithis feeding means bei-ng automatic in that it' operates to force the writing substance upon the surface being written upon through the mere customary action of writing, no form of manipulation is required' for feeding said substance other than that naturally employed for merely producing writing with the ordinary pencil or fountain en. Other ob'ects will be apparent from the following escription, taken in lconnection with the accompanyin drawings, forming v.a part hereof, `and in w ich simllar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1, is a longitudinal sectional View of a pencil representing a practical embodiment of this invention. Fig. 2, is an enlargement of the end 2 of Fig. 1, showing certain ydetail parts which are too small proportionally to .be shown clearly in Fig. 1'.v

' shown at 4., Fig. 1, 4and forms'. an auxiliaryv Fig. 3, represents an end View of Fig. 2. Fig. 4, is an enlarged View of the tube container for carrying the writing substance. Fig. 5, isa longitudinal sectional view of the pencil shown in Fig. 1, the same being encils and fountain'pens.

Apacking to seal the separated, and shows the plungerin initial position as when filling the pencil with writlng fluid.

Fig. 6, is a longitudinal sectional lview of the pencil shown in Fig. 1, and shows the plunger in the lowermost position it may attain through the action of the automatic feeding mechanism.

ig. 7 represents the plunger, separate and distinct from the pencil- In the following description of this invention it should be understood that where any part is described as being fixed to another, the .same may be soldered thereto unless otherwise state Referring to the drawing, 5 is a tubular casing forming a handle for the pencil and an enclosure for the feeding mechanism, the

same being divided into two parts 6 and 7 Fixed to the handle part 6 is a threaded bushing 8 which isadapted to engagethe internal threads in handle art 7 as shown in Figs. 1` and 6. Fitted fr bushing 81's a cylinder 9, forming a chamber 10, and tapers into a slender tubular point 11. The handle part 6 also tapers to lit neatly around the tubular point 11, and guides the cylinder 9 in lengthwise movement. The cylinder 9 is normally held in the forward direction, indicated by thearrow 12, against the tapered portion of the e to slide in the handle part 6 as shown at 14, by the spring 15.

In' the cylinder 9 is fitted a piston 16 whichforms a part of the piston rod 17. Carried onthe end of the piston 16 through the screw 18, is a washei` 19 made of cork, or other suitable material' to serve as a piston against leakage. provided with a cavity 20 ball 21, the same being between the inclined sur- The piston 16 is which carries a adapted to wedge facen 22 and the Wall of the cylinder v9; `this prevents movement of the tive to the cylinder 9, in the tion indicated by the arrow 23. The spring 24is adapted. to normally hold the ball 2l in wedging position as shown.

To move the ball 21 out of wedging posipiston 16 relation and Lthereby cause the same to be inrearward direcoperative, I provide a sleeve 31, which fits free to slide on the piston 16 and piston rod 17 The hole 32 in the wall of the sleeve 31, allows the ball 21 to find the clamping position under the influence of spring 24, but when the. sleeve 31 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 23 relative to the piston rod 17, it will move the ball 21 in the salne direction against the action of the spring 24, and under this condition no wedging action of the ball 21 can occur and the piston 16 may be moved in either direction with ease. f

Fixed to the handle part 7 is a bushing 25, into which is fitted free to slide, a tubular casing 26. This casing is enlarged and projects through the head end 28 of the handle part 7 as shown at 27.l The spring 29 normally holds the tubular casing 26 in the forward position as shown in the drawing, the anged end 30 bearing against the bushing 25. v

The bushing 25 is provided with a cavity 33 which carries a ball 34, the same being adapted to wedge between the inclined sur- `face 35 and the piston rod 17; this prevents movement of the piston rod 17 in the rearward direction indicated by the arrow 23. The spring 36 is adapted to normally hold the ball 34 in wedgin position as shown.

A hole 37 is provi ed in the wall of the tubular casing 26, to allow the ball 34 to find the clamping position under the iniuence of the spring 36, but when the tubular casing 26 is movedin the direction 1ndicated by the arrow 12 relative to the handle part 7 it moves the ball 34 1n the same dlrection against the action of the spring 36, and under this condition no wedging action ofthe ball 34 can occur and the piston rod 17 may be moved in either direction with ease.

The cylinder 9 is provided with an enlarged bore 38 which is adapted to receive a tubular container, the object of which is to provide a convenient method for filling the K pencil with Writing substance.

- large Fig. 4 represents this tubular container in a form suitable to be placed on the market. It comprises a tube 4 of suitable size to fit the enlarged borel 38 of the pencil, and is provided with removable caps 39.' The tube is completely filled with the writing substance'indicated at 40.

For refilling the pencil with writing substance, the handle parts 6 land 7 are. separated, and the l lunger as represented 1n Fig. 7 is removed rom the cylinder 9. After removing the ca s 39, 'the tube 4 filled with the writing su stance-is then placed 1n the venlar ed bore 38 of the cylinder 9, this end' bore 38 may be considered as a primary chamber for the writing substance, as carried by the auxiliary container formed ary chamber which according to my pre chamber 10. The handle parts 6-and 7 areV then screwed together and the pencil is ready for writing.

While Writing is progressing the operation of this pencil is as follows The piston 16 is normally held from moving in the rearward direction as indicated by the arrow 23, by the ball 34 through the rod 17. The cylinder 9is free to move in this direction against the action of the spring 15. Through the action of writing the smooth spherical -end 42 of the pencil is moved with ordinary writing pressure over the paper; Athereby causing the cylinder 9 to move inward in the direction indicated by the arrow 23; reducing the volume of thechamber 10; and forcing the writing substance out through the hole 43 upon the paper. This action Jcontinues as long as a line is being produced, and the cylinder 9 continues to movelinward at a proportional rate relative to the quantity of writing substance permitted to escape through the hole 43.

Whenever the end 42v is raised from the paper, for instance, between making words or characters; the spring* 15 moves the cylinder 9 forward to the original position. In this forward movement of the cylinder 9, the piston 16 with the piston rod 17 are also moved forward, this being accomplished through the wedging action of the ball 21. As a result of this action the plunger does not change its position relative to the cylinder 9, and the volume of the chamber 10 is not changeii.

It shoul be observed that during the action of writing, the plunger gradually feeds downward until the end of the piston rod 17 willno longer contact with the ball 34 then automatic feeding of the writing su stance ceases, and obviously it is time to refill the pencil. The pencil in this conditionl is represented in] Fig. 6.

lDuring the refilling operation, when the handle part 7 is stripped over the piston rod 17, the tubular casing 26 must be pushed inward by pressing on the end 27; this renders the ball 34 inoperative and permits assembling of these two parts.

For removing the piston 16 from the by tube 4; and the chamber 10, as a secondl31 is so 'deep in the cylinder 9 so that the end 44 cannot be grasped with the fingers, it is only necessary to turn the pencil so that the sleeve 31y will gravitate in the direction indicated by the arrow 23; the plunger may then be gradually withdrawn from the cylinder 9.

To facilitate a free flow of the writing substance from the hole 43, I provide a needle 45 which isxed to the tubular point 11 through the fins 46. I prefer-to reduce the diameter of thelhole 43 as shown at 47, to render the area of the opening around the needle 45 less than the area of the openings 48 between' the fins 46. The needle 45 should extend beyond the end of the tubular point l1 as indicated between the arrows 49. This dextended needle 'will maintain a certain space between" the opening 47 of the tubular point 11 and the paper, or other material upon which writing is being produced, and thereby permit 'the writing substance to readily escape from the hole 43.

Itis not absolutely necessary to provide aneedle 45. This is only desirable in some Acases and depends considerably upon the characteristics of the writing substances used with the pencil.. For fine neat lines I prefer to eliminate the needle 45, and prepare the writing substance of the proper consistency so that it will flow, when .under pressure, through aplain straight hole, like shown at 43- Figs. -5 and 6, in a satisfactory manner.

By this arrangement there is little or no opportunity for the writing substance to. .escape and the lwriting is produced prin-l cipally by such quantities which adhere to .the paper as ah result of rubbing contact. When the needle is employed 4the diameter of the hole 47 lshould be somewhat larger to provide the same area of opening and it is then quite impossible to closethis opening by bringing vthe point of, thepencil 1n contact \with the paper, particularly vif the needle protrudes slightly as indicated between the arrows 49. 'By this arrangemen` a greater quantity of writing. substance wil escape to lay upon the paper and the writing will not be roduced so much by the rubbing/contact.

owever whether or' not the needle. is employed the lower end of the tubular point 1l should be formed round, or in'other words spherical,- and polished smooth so that it readily slides over the writingsurface.`

When the needle is employed the lower end thereof should -also be formed in similar fashion, and for the same reason, and in no' protrude beyond.

the writing oint of the pencil, both or only either one o the twomay be in contact with the Writing surface, depending upon the `angle at which the pencil is held while saidl tube.

ing. In effect the needle 45 is a continuation l 'closure' herein -merely represents the preferred embodiment of my invention, and that there might be alternatives for the devices herein described and shown which wouldnot deviate from claims. l

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire .to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a pencil, the combination with a container for semi-fluid writing material provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, of a reciprocable tubeleading from said outlet to form the writing point and mounted to the pencil body, and a feeding'devioe capable of forcing said writing material through said tube and operable through inward movement of said tube.

2. In a pencil, the combination with a container or semi-Huid writing material provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom Aunder pressure,

of a reciprocable tube leading Vfrom said outlet to form the the scope ofthe y writing point and mounted to the pencil body, a feeding device capable ,of forcing said material through said tube and operable tube, and to maintain a constant volume in said 'contained during outward movement of 4. In a pencil, the combination witha container for semi-fluid writing material provided with an ,outlet'allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, of a reciprocable tube leading from said outlet and mounted to the pencil body, piston in said container, and lpropelling mechanism for said piston,

said propelling mechanism. being arranged to v move said piston forward with forward movement o against reverse movement.-

i 5. In a pencil, the combination witha reu ciprocable container for semi-uid writing material provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure and mounted to the pencil body, apiston in said said tube, and lockv saidl piston ico container through inward movement of said 'container, and propelling mechanism for` said piston, said propellingmechanism being arranged' to move said piston forward with l.

forward movement of said container and lock said piston against reverse movement.

6. In a pencil, the combination with a container kfor semi-fiuid writing material provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, of a piston in said container, a one-way clutch arranged to lock said piston against rearward movement relative to the pencil body, and a tube provided with a centrally perforated but otherwise smooth spherical end for rubbing contact with the writing surface, which communicates with said outlet and forms the writing point of the pencil.

7. Ina pencil, the combination with al casing, of a container within said casing for semi-Huid writing material, and provided with an outlet allowing restricted iiow therefrom under pressure and also arranged to slide lengthwise relative to said casing, a piston in said container, and a tube provided with a centrally perforated but otherwise smooth spherical end for rubbing contact with the writing surface, which communicates with said outlet and forms the writing point of the pencil.

8.. In a pencil, the combination with a casing, of a container within said casing for semi-fluid writing material, and provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, and also arranged to slide lengthwise relative to said casinor re` l l n silient means arranged to retrleve lengthwise movement of said container, and a tube provided with a centrally perforated but otherwise smooth spherical end for rubbing contact with the writing surface, which communicates with said outlet and forms the writing point'of the pencil.Y

9. In a pencil, the combination with a casing, of a container within said casing ffor semi-fluid writing material, andprovided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, and also arranged to slide lengthwise relative to said casing, a piston in said container, and a one-way clutch arranged to lock said piston against rearward movement relative to said container. y

10. In a pencil, the combination with a casing, of a container within said casing A body thereof suitably arranged to form a for semi-fluid Writingfinaterial, and provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, and also arranged to slide lengthwise relative to said casing, a piston in saidI container, a one-way clutch arranged to lock 4said piston against rearward movement relative to said container, and a one-way clutch arranged tolock said piston against rearward movement relative to said casing. t

11. In a pencil, the combinatlon with a casing, of a container within sa1d casing for semi-'fluid writing material, and provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, and also arranged to slide lengthwise relative to said casmg, a piston in said container,'a one-way clutch arranged to lock said piston against rearward movement relative to said container, and resilient means arranged to retrieve rearward movement of said container relative to said casing. Y

12. In a pencil, the combination with a casing, of a container within said casing for semi-fluid writing material, and `provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, and also' arranged to slide lengthwise relative to said caslng, a piston in said container, a one-way clutch arranged -to lock said piston against rearward movement relative to said casing, and resilient means arrangedl to retrieve rearward movement of said Acontainer relative to said casing.

13. In a pencil, the combination with a casing, of a container within said casing for semi-Huid writing material, and provided with an outlet allowing restricted flowI therefrom under pressure, and also arranged to slide lengthwise relative to said casing, a piston in said container, a one-way clutch arranged to lock said piston against rearward movement relative to said container, a one-way clutch arranged to lock said piston against rearward movement relative to said casing, and resilient means arranged to retrieve rearward movement of said container relative to said casing. 14. In a pencil, the combination with the body thereof suitablyarranged to form a primary chamber and al secondary chamber, of a'n augjriliary container for carrying semifluid writing material and arranged to fit in said primary chamber, means for transferring said writing substance from said container, while in said primary chamber, to said secondary chamber, a piston in said secondary chamber, mechanism for moving said piston forward, and a tube provided with a centrally perforated but otherwise smooth spherical end for rubbing contact with the writing surface, which communicates with said secondary chamber and forms the writing point of the pencil.

l5. In a pencil, the combination with the lowing restricted flow therefrom vunder pressure, and mechanism carried by the pencil body and operable through pressure against the surface beingwritten upon for forcing the writing material through said outlet.

i 17. In a pencil, the combination with a container for semi-'fluid writing material provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, of means for reducing the volume 'of said chamber, and reciprocable mechanism mounted to the pencil body and operable through pressure contact with the writing surface' toefect a v01- ume reducing action by said volume reducing means. w 'v 18. In a pencil, the combination w1th a container for semi-fluid writing material provided with an outlet allowin restricted flow therefrom under pressure, o a reciprocable needle which protrudes from said out- Y let to form the'writing; point of thepencl,

and feeding mechanism carried by thepencilv body and operable to force the material through said outlet through movement of 25. said needle.

` 19. In a pencil', `the combination. with the `loody thereof provided with a chamber for semi-fluid writin material, of a tube which forms an outlet or the writing material allowing restricted iow thereof when under pressure, mechanism within said body arranged to Create a pressure throughout the writing lmaterial, and a needle flxed in the end of said tube and arranged to maintain spaced relation between said outlet and the writing surface.

20. In apencil, the combinationof a container for semi-fluid writingmaterial provided with an outlet allowing restricted flow therefrom under pressure, and mechanism carried by the pencil body and operable through pressure against the surface being written upon for forcing the material through said outlet.

21. In a pencil, the combination of a container for semi-Huid writing material provided with an outlet allowing the material toescape to the surface being written upon, and mechanism carried by the pencil body 5, and operable through pressure against the `surface being written upon for creating a pressure throughout the Writing material.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

BERNARD C. BECKER. 

